"'Yes, honoured Herr,' returned Christina, smiling for the first time, and showing her pretty teeth and a dimple on either cheek. 'My brother Heinrich cut and arranged the diamonds in the parure of the honoured Herr's mother.' "'So he did, Christina, and he did it better than anyone except him could have done it. And so thou art really his sister! How did he tell thee of me?' "'He wrote to me while you were still in Paris, and described the pretty stones, and told how Herr Gainsborough used to come and sit with him, and see him work, and talk a great deal with him.' "'Yes, he was well worth talking with! And I remember now that he said he was born in this neighbourhood, and that he had a sister and a father living here. It was stupid of me not to have thought of that when I heard your name. Well, Christina, I'm afraid I wasn't of much use to him after all. I tried to get him customers, but I knew very few people in Paris; and the only person I did succeed in introducing to him--by the way! it was this gentleman who is with me now.' "'Herr Birchmore; yes, my brother spoke also of him,' said Christina, her gravity returning. 'But he did not speak of the young lady, or of the servant.' "'No, I believe they weren't with him at the time. I only met them myself since I came to Schandau.' "'The young lady is Herr Birchmore's--wife?' "'His wife? Dear heavens, no! His daughter, of course, Christina.' "Christina said nothing, being occupied in neatly smoothing out the pillow, and laying the wadded counterpane over the sheet. "'Will Herr Gainsborough stay with us long?' she asked, after a pause. "'As long as Herr Birchmore does, I suppose,' said I carelessly. "'And Herr Birchmore's daughter?' subjoined Christina, with a twinkle of mischief so demure that I could hardly be sure whether she meant it or not. "'Thou art as clever as thy brother, Christina,' I laughed, colouring a little too however, I daresay, 'It is true I have not known them long, but--but people see a good deal of one another in travelling together.' "'I have heard it said that travelling makes people acquainted with----' she paused, and looked down thoughtfully at her bare feet. Presently she lifted her blue eyes straight to mine and asked: "'Herr Gainsborough has his diamonds with him?' "'Undoubtedly! They are never away from me.' "'In going about this place, the Herr should be cautious. Some of these hills and valleys are very lonely. There are spots, not far from here, where no one goes for sometimes many months.' "'Well, I'll be very careful, Christinchen,' I rejoined laughing, and in truth not a little amused at the care my friends took of me. 'But thou must remember that no one in Germany, except Herr Birchmore, and his daughter, and thyself, knows that any such diamonds as these are in existence--much less that they are in my pocket!'